"You can't make a living as a writer" & other myths: pursuing your dream life

[@anthonycastro2146]

I remember I told my aunt ten years ago that I wanted to become a writer. She told me that it doesnt make money unless you move to LA. Thinking about it now it sounds really stupid but it affected me so much that I didnt write for another ten years. About a year ago there was an Uber driver who asked me two questions. What do you love to do? and What do you do for a living? I got it. I needed to write. Now Im on the verge of publishing 6 books and more are coming. I found my passion, my purpose and my identity. No one can ever take it away.

[@FidinaQuery]

I have the exact same story, except that it was my parents who told me that. I just got two books finished and on my way to query them out and hopefully get my first book deal. I wish you success.❤

[@LedgerAndLace]

The people who were telling me not to do something I was interested in were not doing the thing I was interested in. "That's not a REAL job." Well, it is to the people who are doing it. It's so easy to get discouraged when you're in your early adulthood and trying to find your way. How fortunate to have that one person who cheers you on! 🙂

[@hollyh7202]

Lidiya, I can't tell you how much this video meant to me. For many years, I was a bookseller (I remember selling your trad published books!) and also had a couple of series trad published myself. Trad publishing wasn't everything I hoped for, and I eventually grew disillusioned with the writing industry. I went off and got a boring, practical degree, and now, at nearly 40, I have just finished my first year in a boring, practical job. I hate it. I have just bought a house in the countryside that will mean a 2 hour commute to the job I hate, and I have been slowly forming a plan to quit and let myself fall in love with writing again. It's scary, but doable. Your beautiful encouragement is exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thank you so, so much.

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

That's so awesome. I am wishing you the achievement of that dream life before long!!

[@LittleBrisby]

I am always amazed at how much your advise resonates with me (i work as an artist). I have been lucky enough to never have anyone but one person tell me i could not do this, and still i was deterred from pursuing this path until i turned 30 and thought, to hell with expectations. It's not glamourous, you need to sacrifice a lot, but it is doable. Specially when you have a partner who supports you , and i don't mean only money wise by sharing expenses and such, but also by encouraging you and being behind every tough decision, like spending most hours hidden away in your studio working on your stuff. I would love to hear you talk about the difficulties of having and artist as a partner, how they have helped you and how much they have put up with (in my case, a lot - insecurities are a thing) and how you face tough times together. I want to add that I found your channel because i started writing again some months ago, after not doing so for 20 years. I have no goals other than write whatever i like whenever i like, and it has been cathartic. Hope I get to enjoy your youtube channel for a long time.

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

That would be a good video topic at some point, maybe, although it can be a bit of a sensitive one for some people too. But having someone who really supports your dreams and goals from that perspective does help SO much. I can't imagine being with someone who was indifferent (or worse) to my writing.

[@Whiskeytango2178]

This was like sitting down and listening to an encouraging friend.

[@NellieMunroAuthor]

I needed to hear this today. It’s hard when family and friends don’t believe in you.

[@lucinaa.5407]

You have no idea how much I really needed to hear this. I’ve constantly had doubts before about my dreams because I felt bad I never had the “strong passion” like others have. Sometimes I doubt my abilities as I don’t feel like I am doing enough. But like you said the creative road can be a long and daunting journey. But I’ll keep trying in hopes of my dreams will come true one day

[@linseybachko4470]

Some of the best advice/words of wisdom I got when it comes to the nay-sayers: If they don’t have to live with the decision, their opinion doesn’t matter. Most who try to tell you that you can’t do something (like being a novelist or artist) say so because they would be too afraid to try it themselves, because they are jealous because they didn’t follow their dreams, or are upset that they are miserable doing a 9 to 5 and think everyone else should have to do it too. When you say yes to one thing, you are saying no to something else so be careful of how you answer the choices in your life.

[@kaychannon]

I really needed to hear this today. November has just been an up hill struggle and full of a lot of unknown/uncertain circumstances. Thank you for reminding me that doing things differently does not equal failure.

[@itspatriciaburton]

It’s funny how many of us have been told the same thing about creative jobs. I’ve often felt guilty for not having a “real job” or “contributing to society” in a way that people respect but luckily growing older has given me a kind of IDGAF attitude. But I still get angry when people openly mock my work or tell me it’s a hobby which happens quite a lot in my conservative country, so thanks for the pep talk 🙏🏻

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

Thank you for this video! My dream life is to be a full time author, to have my community of readers who I get to spoil with my books and everything bookish. 🎉😊📚

[@Magus_Union]

Really thankful for your advice in this video. I recently got accepted for a new job, yet I had always thought about a creative career. I don't completely loathe my current profession, but it does provide a really good standard of living. Your segment about being disciplined with your time in the creative work is very on point. You can't sell art that you haven't made. And putting in the work does take focus, time, and dedication. Sometimes a dream is better made as a side gig. Better to pragmatically pivot instead of wholesale giving up.

[@blallydally]

When I told someone in my life that I wanted to just write a bunch of (what I didn't know at the time were called) "to trend" books so that I could learn how to write they accused me of selling out. It froze me from writing anything for years. Watching your videos I'm shedding all that nonsense. It's amazing what a little prod here or there can do! I'll definitely keep that in mind when I speak to people.

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

I've talked about this in a few videos, such as my recent one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ2kho1mls1qbMk But long story short, most writers who make their living have written some "sell out" stuff at some point. It can be great for improving your writing and there's an audience hungry for it...why not make the $$?

[@wolfmechanic]

This was exactly what I needed to hear today, thank you.

[@MaxiaCrest]

Thank you for the pep talk!❤ You're my inspiration!😊

[@toppersundquist]

Growing up, from the age of 4 on (when I decided I loved books and wanted to be a writer), I was told that was a GREAT hobby to have as long as it didn't interfere with my actual real adult sensible career, whatever that might be. But being a writer was absolutely not that. Writing was how you filled in the gaps around having a real job.

[@yelenafigueroa2497]

I loved this video (and pep talk) SO much! Thank you for talking about this, it was much needed. ❤❤❤

[@SpookyGman]

Thanks for the encouragement. Your channel has renewed my enthusiasm to be creative.

[@NatashaLeecole]

It’s good to have a friend or an accountability buddy for things like this when most people in your immediate circle can’t see your vision or aren’t into it at all. Wish I had one growing up or from parents, but now that I know what I know and don’t want to continue the cycle I can focus on what I actually need to focus on, while building those connections and also being my own accountability buddy in moments.👌🏽

[@Dawn-lu6wv]

I love hearing your encouraging words and think an open mind leads to believing in possibilities. I’m glad I discovered you while searching KZbin after the devastating hurricane hit your area.

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

I'm amazed how many people have stuck around after discovering the hurricane video!

[@deellaboe437]

People will always have something negative to say. Just write your story. Everyone has at least one good one.

[@katharinahuang3941]

Thank you for the pep talk ❤ I needed it

[@darintroxel3295]

Just like in the Never Ending Story , open your mind, it has no boundaries. What are you afraid of?

[@morosecalm4071]

Thank you so much for your words Lidiya

[@morleywritesbooks]

i think my delulu is too strong, because i typically say no to friends because i just don't want to do the things they want to do. No i don't want to go to the casino, i don't care about the buffet. No i don't want to get in a party bus or go to vegas or the club. Which is fair, cause most people don't want to go when i plan a day-hike or popping into a small museum, or just a country drive in the afternoon... But also i don't think very much about marketability because i suck at marketing as is 🤣so i just write what i won't mind reading 70+ times and try including things i hear reader groups/circles wanting if it's applicable to that kind of story. I'm a lot better at making the thing than i am about telling people i made the thing 😅

[@atella394]

I think marketing is a skill like any other and with time, practice, and dedication you'll be able to find some competency with it. It can just be harder to get going than with other skills because there's the ick factor of selling yourself and your creative baby to push through first.

[@morleywritesbooks]

@@atella394 true, but there's also how quickly the appeal of a technique/strategy works. It seems like every year the newest way becomes outdated (sometimes faster than that). 😭 between 3 jobs AND writing, i have to pick between getting a new story written or dedicating that time to marketing + trial and error. I keep telling myself "well, let's make a bit of a backlog first, so there's a bit of variety, and THEN we'll have the leisure of setting aside the limited creative time and learn to properly market the dang things" 😅

[@xoAmelia7]

Such wise words! ❤

[@MelanieMeadors]

Aww thank you--this was very encouraging!

[@reluctantphoenix]

Thanks for this - lots of wise insight in this video.

[@dukeofdenver]

Words to live by❤

[@hollowpages482]

On the flip side of this, i have had far too many people who have found out im writing a book not know 1) how long it takes, and of course not understanding that that time is unpaid somehow. And 2)not understanding thay even if you DO get published that by no means will mean you’ll be successful enough to live off that moneg without having to have another job. It actually boggles my mind sometimes

[@sarahmccalip1999]

Awwwwwh thanks for the pep talk!

[@Clutter_Butter]

I feel like Magic Mind is making the rou ds on youtube all of a sudden. You're the second creator today that I've heard advertise it. ❤

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

Oh wow, I only seem to see Nord VPN, LOL... Magic Mind has been a lifesaver of a sponsor honestly, because I was having the worst brain fog earlier in the year.

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

Thank you for the encouragement for me to pursue my dreams/ creative aspirations! It really means a lot! I need all of the help and encouragement that I can get. Good luck with your creative endeavors as well! Hoping you experience much success! 🍀😊

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

I know it can take a lot to change negative mental scripts that so many of us can get, but I hope to help as much as I can!

[@zrienkersh1475]

Great pep talk! Thank you! Any author newsletter advice? I write under a pen name and I just went over my open rates and compared between 2023-2024 and even though I have more subscribers now, more people actually opened my emails last year. 😢

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

Where do your subscribers come from? Your open rates can sometimes lower just because you sourced from a broader audience, such as doing a newsletter promo of some kind or even a big free promo on a book.

[@zrienkersh1475]

@@lidiyafoxgloveauthor I use Substack, so the bulk of new subscribers come from within that ecosphere, and people discovering me on Substack and via other Substack authors who recommend me. I'm wondering also if it has to do with how Google started filtering messages, or it could be shifts in my own writing.

[@billyalarie929]

Thank you for this. ❤

[@David.M.]

You are braver than I would be. I have been more focused on security and wouldn't be as bold as you and pursue your creative talents. But I appreciate folks like you, just can't do it myself!

[@FidinaQuery]

Just do it on the side for a bit, like a side project on your spare time. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing if you’re too scared. if it ended up being fruitful, who knows you might actually want to switch 100% and the new creative career is your new security. Or if not, so what. Some people have regular jobs and publish their book as a passion project, that works too.

[@David.M.]

@@FidinaQuery Thanks!

[@fungalpanda9781]

Thank you for the encouragement! Wonderful advice.

[@OSborneCox]

I never have enough energy to write after work, and that will become entirely impossible if my partner and I decide to have kids. I do love that others are still able to hold on to their dreams and hone one of the most beautiful skills there is.

[@BH-qs7vo]

I wouldn't let my job determine my life or whether my children should exist. You have the same 24 hours as every human being that's ever existed.

[@richardv.2475]

I feel this is a bit outdated problem, since in these days getting a degree, even a practical one does not guarantee good salary and/or job security. So why would you be a struggling corporate lawyer, an engineer who is working for peanuts, a homeless with a PhD or a tortured middle manager instead of chasing your dreams? There is nowhere to retreat.

[@stevielove4778]

Can you plz be so honest about MAGIC MIND? I know you’re paid to put in that ad-read (totally fine w that)-- but I need to know is it HONESTLY any better than coffee or other energy drinks?? Thank you for your honesty!

[@lidiyafoxgloveauthor]

Well, the truth is that caffeine has never worked that well for me. It makes my heart race and I guess it's true that I can't nod off when I feel like I'm having a low key heart attack, but boy am I not relaxed! Magic Mind has some caffeine from matcha but it mostly seems like a slow, sustained, relaxed kind of energy. I've generally noticed I'm more focused, able to switch tasks better, and a little more chill without being as tired throughout the whole day, as opposed to the temporary jolt you get from a cup of coffee.

[@TheZetaKai]

Whatever happened to your encouraging writer friend? Did she ever publish? I hope that she did well; she deserves it.

[@BruceWayne15325]

This is even more true since the advent of AI. A novel that used to take me 8mo-1.5yrs to write now only takes 3-6mo. No, I'm not letting AI do the writing for me. But the brainstorming aspect of it vastly reduces the time wasted on trying to find that perfect word, or getting stuck with writers block. It also has helped me as a pantser to do more planning. The main reason I didn't plan was because it sapped the creativity out of me, and by the time I'd spent months planning the novel, I no longer had the drive to write it. I personally have zero problems with those that use AI to actually write their 1st draft. I don't do that myself, but that's just because I became a writer because I love writing. I don't want a machine to write for me. If I did that, I may as well just do something else. But for those that are just trying to make ends meet, and they don't find joy in what they do? Sure, let AI write your 1st draft. It's going to mean a LOT more editing, but the net gain in performance is probably still worth it. Let's face it, nobody's 1st draft is great, so what does it matter whether it's a steaming pile of computer generated garbage, or a rambling mess of human written trash? Both need major work before you publish, though AI will definitely need a lot more. The onus is still on the author to ensure that they don't plagiarize anything, and if you use AI, that's going to require a little more effort on your part than normal. That said, I've played with AI in writing, and if done correctly, the chance of plagiarism is fairly low unless it gives you something like a poem, or any other fully independent thought. Responsible authors that use AI in their writing micromanage the heck out of it. The AI is so constrained that it can't really write anything except what the author has explicitly told them to write. I question the value of this though, because you almost have to write as much in the instructions as you would write normally, so unless you're getting writers block...